Mountain Lion Spotted Near Rapid City School

A Rapid City school kept students indoors after a mountain lion was spotted on school grounds.

Rapid Valley Elementary went into lockdown after the mountain lion was seen about 5:30 a.m. Friday.

Elementary Principal Cher Daniel says the decision to keep the school's 580 students indoors for the day was made after the lion was spotted on a security camera recording.

Electronically-generated phone calls notified parents about the lion and told them that students would not be allowed outside for recesses. The message also told parents to consider options for students who usually walk home after school.

State Game, Fish and Parks wildlife manager John Kanta says officials received another report of a mountain lion in Rapid City earlier in the week.